Fear, Trust, The Road Trip of Life
Road trips just like life can bring plenty of opportunity for fear to find us.
What epic movie is this highway from?
It was almost move day! That means we each need to do our part to make it as dent and scratch free as possible!
Andrea finds the places we want to go, the hikes and activities in the area and decides how long we are going to stay. I research the different routes to get there, read reviews on the camping options, and together we decide which spot will be best for us.
Having an Airstream as our home comes with many perks, but one downside is the low clearance. Therefore, the conditions of the unpaved roads play strongly into our selecting of spots as we try to escape into nature.
For this trip, Andrea had narrowed the options to several spots outside Sedona, Arizona. One, however, stood out from the rest with recent reviewers commenting, “amazing views”, “large quiet spaces”, and “perfectly 20 minutes away from Sedona”. What sold us was the advice from one traveler in particular that hit us like that one fortune cookie that just sticks with you for life.
This reviewer said “continue past the first two spots, keep going, fight the fear to stop, and around the mountain bend will be the peaceful open space with amazing views you are looking for”.
After a two-hour drive filled with traffic jams, and a congested interstate, we were excited to exit in search of our personal oasis. Entering the dispersed camping area, we saw the two spots nearest the road and continued on. As the dirt road got a bit narrower, we started climbing and twisting around the mountain in front of us. Then we felt it!
Fear was beginning to creep in. Telling us to turn back, doubt and negativity were everywhere.
What if the reviewer was wrong? What if we couldn’t turn around?
All the favorite tricks fear likes to use were in play. However, on this day, we leaned into the fear and pivoted.
Andrea loves it when we stumble across hidden gems like this spring fed river and wading hole
We choose to believe, to remain optimistic, hopeful, and to trust our process. We thanked fear for showing up and told him we wouldn’t be needing his assistance today.
As we rounded the mountain the other side was exactly what we were hoping for. A high mountain prairie, with a few other campers for security, but plenty of space to recharge in nature. Settling into the last spot at the far end of the road, it was time to reflect on this journey.
A beautiful campfire and sunset courtesy of spring in Arizona.
When we choose to see the world as full of opportunities, chances for new adventures, and remain curious about what is next, we usually end up with a satisfied heart and smiles on our faces. Life just like the road trip today, will throw fear at us to discourage us, to scare us, to force us to play it safe. It is our choice in how we respond during these moments. Many times, if we can lean into and move beyond our fears, we can begin to see our dreams becoming reality.
Hope to see you around that next twisting and turning mountain road!